European Council to discuss Europe 2020 Strategy and climate change negotiations

On Thursday 18 March, the Government announced Finland's representation at the European Council taking place in Brussels on 25 and 26 March. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen will represent Finland at the meeting.

The Heads of State or Government are to discuss continuation of the EU growth and jobs strategy – the Europe 2020 Strategy – and climate negotiations in light of the results of the Copenhagen Climate Conference.

The European Council is to agree on the aims of the Europe 2020 Strategy, set headline targets at the EU level and agree on the governance of the Strategy. The Europe 2020 Strategy will be approved at the June European Council when Member States' national targets are also taken note of.

The European Council will also assess the results of the Copenhagen Climate Conference. The Heads of State or Government are to discuss European Union positions and strategy which the Union and its Member States will follow in continuing climate negotiations in 2010.

The current economic situation, including measures taken by Greece, may also be addressed.

The European Council will also appoint the new Vice-President of the European Central Bank.

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy will chair the meeting. This is the first formal European Council meeting under his chairmanship since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. The Treaty entered into force in December 2009.

Further information: Eeva Kalli, Special Adviser, EU Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 9 1602 2055 and Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2180